General Summary

The Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) will provide assessment, treatment, planning and counseling for children and families of Head Start Birth to Five Program. The counselor will provide services as appropriate for license and make appropriate referrals for services. The counselor will provide a broad range of services, including early childhood mental health consultation in classrooms, training staff and parents, and use a variety of techniques to support staff and families of young children learn new social emotional skills. The LPC-A will provide resources and model developmentally appropriate activities to support teachers to improve classroom management and teaching practices within the classroom. Services must be coordinated with staff in other program content areas and include ongoing assessment of the quality of services provided.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Conduct classroom observations as assigned and provide feedback to classroom staff to promote positive social emotional skill development.
2. Provide consultation, guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children within the classroom.
3. Provide guidance to staff on selecting, implementing, and interpreting social emotional assessment tools and findings.
4. Conduct observations of individual children as assigned or referred for consultation, meet with teaching staff and family to determine needs and develop treatment plans as appropriate.
5. Develop and implement treatment plans based on needs of individual children and families.
6. Support family and teachers in the implementation of treatment plans to include progress monitoring and provide any additional referrals as needed.
7. Support, Coordinate, and provide staff training related to social-emotional and mental health issues.
8. Participate in the development and implementation of the mental health program and policies.
9. Coordinate and facilitate parent training as assigned.
10. Provides accurate and timely reports to the supervisor to ensure compliance with funder requirements, expectations and outcomes.
11. Participate in weekly supervision with LPC-S as appropriate for licensure.
12. Participate in Head Start Staffing meetings when appropriate.
13. Complies with Agency and State Licensure Confidentiality, Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Experience working with children birth to five years of age.

Education/Certifications/Licensure

Master’s Degree in Counseling or clinical Psychology or a related field of study from an accredited university and/or college. Completion of degree and all post-degree supervision for licensure. Must have a motor vehicle that is operable and compliant with State Laws.

Current licensure in the State of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate or having passed the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Exam. Must provide their own Professional Liability Insurance for Counselors.

Additional annual certification and training in the following are required: Health Certificate annually; First Aid Certification and Adult and Infant / Toddler CPR Certification. Must attend 24 clock hours of professional development and staff training per year to include training on methods to handle suspected or known child abuse and neglect cases, that comply with applicable federal, state, local and tribal laws, training that builds their knowledge, experience and competencies to improve child and family outcomes and any other trainings as outlined by the Head Start Performance Standards and Minimum Standards from the State of Texas.

Skills

Ability to prioritize and allocate resources.

Advanced computer skills

Ability to problem solve

Ability to work flexible hours

Physical Requirements

If a preliminary offer of employment is extended, a physical will be required before the offer can be accepted.

Physical activity may include sitting, standing, kneeling, speaking, and listening.

Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

May travel via personal vehicle or agency vehicle to other sites.

TB testing